Birds!

Last night I was treated to an inspiring La Grande sunset.

Today was all about birds.  I've been attending the Ladd Marsh Bird Festival for many many years, so it seemed like a great way to start my journey.   I lived in La Grande for quite a while and it was wonderful to come back and visit friends and the marsh.

I got up and onto the marsh by 6:30 this morning.  I was rewarded with Sandhill Cranes with beautiful fluffy cinnamon-colored babies, and an American Bittern that landed on the path right in front of me.

I forgot how much I loved this refuge.   When I lived here I spent a lot of time hiking, sitting and photographing in the marsh.  I won't bore you with a list of all the birds we saw today, but some of the highlights include BIG baby Great Horned Owls, 2 nests full of them.  Ruddy Ducks, Green-winged Teal, Blue-winged Teal, Common Yellow-Throat Warblers, and the always charming Marsh Wrens. Full disclosure, the following 3 photos were not taken today, but were taken on Ladd Marsh.

Yellow-headed Blackbird

Canada Geese

Marsh Wren

Afternoon was spent with a good friend birding around the spectacular Grande Ronde Valley.  We found a Bunting, Eastern Kingbird and oh so much more.

The weather was perfect, the day was perfect and I am leaving early in the morning, heading east....